You can ask your friends, neighbours, family, and coworkers what plumbers they have used. You will often receive good recommendations and learn about the quality of their work. You will also learn about bad experiences so you will know what company to avoid. You can also check with people in your social circles such as church members. As well, you can also check with a realtor to see if they have a list of dependable and honest plumbers.
Frozen Pipes: When water in pipes freeze they expand and may even burst the pipe. Close the main shutoff valve. If the pipe has not split yet, thaw it with hot water bottles from the end of the pipe nearest to the tap. Thawing must be gentle, never with a naked flame, to avoid thermal water expansion that too can split the pipe. As a preventive maintenance make sure your pipes are appropriately insulated against the cold months.
Certified. Just like any other professional, a plumber comes with a certification. Make sure that you hire someone that is fully certified as a water heater specialist. Never assume that all plumbing companies that offer these types of services come with a certification. Do your research.
A Trustworthy plumber will answer all of your questions. Good plumbers will provide you with references, and tell you how long they have been a plumber, and the type of guarantee they provide for their work (warranty.) As well, a professional plumber will offer emergency service for nights and weekends. You should be able to make contact with him or her in a timely manner. A professional plumber will also have all of the appropriate insurance such as liability insurance so that you are protected in the event of an accident.
The number one thing to look for is emergency services. You never know when a pipe will burst or a toilet will overflow. It is not always during business hours, and you certainly cannot wait hours until a Local plumber is ready to come to your home in the morning. You need someone who will be responsive when you need fast help, which is why you should look for a company that provides emergency hours. You may have to pay an extra fee, but it is usually cheaper than having to pay for mold elimination down the road after letting standing water stay in your house for days.
Punctuality. It is the most important trait of a good plumber. Waiting for a longer time to have your pipes repaired can mean more damage to your property. A plumber who understands clients values time and make it a point to arrive as soon as possible.
In short, the emergency plumber you hire should be from a reputable company. If you think that you can rely on him then you should look for another one. An emergency plumber should be skilled and should be able to deliver quality services to everyone.